Wednesday 20 May 2026
St Bernardine of Siena
Acts 20:28-38. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth – Ps 67(68):29-30, 33-36. John 17:11-19.
Pray for wisdom
Never underestimate St Paul. Surely a good part of his wisdom comes from the fact that he had a tough life. He was imprisoned, beaten up, enslaved, left hungry, shipwrecked and mocked. It was the kind of life that might have made others bitter. We all savour the friendship of older people whose rocky journey has brought them to a mellow place of peace and deep faith. Why not take a few minutes to call them to mind with a prayer of gratitude?
At the same time, as we read today, Paul was a worker. He never wanted to impose on the communities he visited. He deflected attention from his needs so that ‘the weak’ would be the focus of care. So, when Paul warns people against ‘fierce wolves’ who come from outside and imposters from inside, he speaks as one who knows the highs and lows of the human condition. He asks people to be wise. It is a gift for which we should all pray.
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